Ohio Statehood Day

On Wednesday, March 2nd, members of the FJBJ travelled to Columbus to participate in Ohio Statehood Day at the Statehouse. As recipients of the Ohio History Leadership Award, their ongoing efforts to preserve and restore the Joseph Barker Jr. House were recognized by Governor Mike DeWine, alongside several other organizations, for their collective outstanding work to preserve Ohio's historic heritage.

Event MC Cameron Fontana with Statehood Day attendees. FJBJ is seated on the right side of the photo in the second row behind Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, Ohio History Connection CEO and Executive Director Megan Wood, and Director of the Office of Budget and Management Kim Murnieks.

From Ohio History Connection’s press release announcing the leadership award recipients:

“The Joseph Barker Jr. House in Lower Newport is an excellent example of early Ohio architecture. It was built circa 1820 by an early civic leader in Washington County. The Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House community group was formed to stabilize, restore and repurpose this building. The proup was organized by Jack and had to receive authorization from Congress in order for this undertaking to occur. U.S. Representative Bill Johnson, Senator Sherrod Brown, and former Senator Rob Portman played a huge role in this process.”

In attendance were several members of FJBJ, including (L to R in the photo below) Jamie Barker, Anthony Durm, Jack Haessly, Skyler Secrest, Deana Clark, Scott Britton, and William Reynolds. They were joined in this photo by Governor Mike DeWine.

The full video of the ceremony can be viewed on The Ohio Channel’s website and below is a clip of Jack and Senator Portman’s speeches about the project.

Thank you again to Governor DeWine, Ohio History Connection, Senator Rob Portman, and the many others who have supported the Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House to help us get where we are today.